Thursday, August 31, 2017

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1 Thursday, August 31, 2017

2 NEWS/FEATURES The Dermatology Clinic offers a full spectrum of general, surgical, and medically necessary dermatology procedures to our active duty, retired, and dependent patients. The clinic s mission is to provide education and care to help keep your skin healthy. Our experienced, board-certified dermatologist, is well trained to evaluate and treat any condition of the skin, hair and nails. The team is made up of an enthusiastic staff dedicated to providing quality care. Some of our common diagnoses and services provided include, but are not limited to: Acne Allergic skin diseases Alopecia areata and hair loss Eczema Immune, autoimmune diseases Melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma and other skin cancers Psoriasis Vitiligo & skin pigment disorders Laser treatment of shaving bumps Rosacea/vascular laser treatments Phototherapy treatments/photodynamic treatments for sun damage and precancers Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (Razor bumps) Skin cancer screenings are scheduled by the Dermatology Clinic s front desk staff. These 10-minute slots are available on Thursday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., and should be scheduled the week of the appointment. These appointments are offered to active duty, dependents, retirees and dependents of retirees who would like a skin exam. Keep in mind the patient must be enrolled to the 6th Medical Group. There are no treatments or biopsies performed during these screenings. Also, we do not address other skin issues during the screening. For any concerning lesion, we will give a recommendation on what to do next. Shaving waivers and evaluations may also be provided. All patients in need of an initial shaving waiver or renewal should be scheduled by the Dermatology front desk. A shaving class is available for patients who have never been issued a shaving waiver. This class will take place on the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Also, patients who are renewing their shaving waivers will be scheduled on the first Thursday of the month in a 10-minute appointment slot which begin at 2:20 p.m. Contact the Dermatology Clinic at to make an appointment. COMMANDER S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil. Website: Facebook: MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb 2 Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

3 NEWS/FEATURES Air Force diagnostic imaging technicians attend a unique technical training course that allows them to go to a base for a residency type training after their initial course before being assigned to their first duty station. Students need more training to become better equipped to perform their job duties, said Jeff Marchaesi, course supervisor and phase two instructor assigned to the 6th Medical Support Squadron. MacDill is one of 11 different bases that has this follow-on training. For one Airman, MacDill Air Force Base was his number-one choice for his follow-on training. The first part of my training is located at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and it s approximately six months long, said Airman Byraun Howell, radiology student assigned to the 6th MDSS. After the initial training, the person with the highest grade-point average in the class gets to pick which location they want their follow on training to be. Diagnostic imaging students get to practice the skills already taught to them while learning new ones in a hands-on environment with real patients. Going to our first duty station right out of initial training would be like expecting a dog to sit without constantly practicing the task, said Howell. When we get here we get hands-on training with a little bit of class time allowing us to put what we learned in phase one to the test. According to Howell, phase two allows them to get a more quality understanding of how the human body works as well as a chance to prepare for their National Registry. If we pass our registry, we will become a greater asset for the Air Force, said Howell. The registry is basically a ticket to be recognized in the civilian sector as completely certified to perform as a diagnostic imaging technician. After completing all of their training and receiving their registry, radiologists are fully trained to perform their job duties. As I progress in my career, I want to start learning more about Computed Tomography Scans, said Howell. As well as career progression, I am striving to make every patient feel important and let them know that their issue matters to me. I wanted to do something bigger and better, something that all my friends and the people around me didn t have the initiative to do, said Senior Airman Luis Cintron, vehicle maintenance technician assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Cintron, a native of Puerto Rico, enlisted in the world s greatest Air Force after two years of college in hopes of serving the country that brings him so much pride. After joining the Air Force, Cintron immediately knew that his decision was the best choices he could have made. Puerto Rico s economy is not so good, said Cintron. Even a college degree doesn t guarantee your future. When I first went home and my family and friends saw me in uniform they looked at me and told me that what I am doing as an American Airmen is not something everyone does, said Cintron. That s when I knew it wasn t just about me looking at my future, it was also about serving the SERVING Page 15 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 31,

4 WEEK IN PHOTOS 4 Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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6 NEWS/FEATURES With the hustle and bustle of everyday operations, security forces members at MacDill Air Force Base scan and process thousands of identification cards and base access credentials. One of the base s first lines of defense to preventing potential security threats from entering is the MacDill Visitor Control Center. We are responsible for assessing the eligibility of non-dod visitors who require or request installation access through the evaluation of the individual s background and criminal activity, said Kevin Siharath, the supervisor of visitor control operations assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron. In addition, it s our responsibility to manage the installation access control program by issuing credentials and restricting access to only those who have a need, and individuals set forth in the Integrated Defense Plan. They work behind the scenes finding potential threats, and their job is vital to the mission. According to Air Force Manual, the objective of installation perimeter access control is to restrict and/or control entrance to property and/or installations to authorized people in order to protect personnel, resources and missions. The visitor center staff are the gate keepers who have the means to grant or not grant access based on possible threats. DEFENSE, Page Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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8 MacDill Air Force Base is home to many hard-working Airmen, but one team in particular stands out to Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Alicea, an aircraft propulsion craftsman assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. I really love what my jet engine mechanics do and how they do it, exclaimed Alicea. When faced with challenges, they lace up their boots and walk onto the flightline as one team, one family. They pat themselves on the back when no one is watching and that is the only reward they seek. According to Alicea, the team has faced its fair share of challenges since the beginning of the year, and receiving an influx of personnel from other airframes was one of them. We had manning, but no hard-core KC-135 experience, added Alicea. We had to really grind to learn this new aircraft quickly to ensure we were still accomplishing the mission. Staff Sgt. David Humphreys, a jet engine mechanic with the 6th AMXS, add- ed that the learning curve from another airframe to the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft is sharp. I came from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where they have B-52HH (Stratofortress bombers), said Humphreys. It requires similar maintenance and the same job title but, the way maintenance is done is different. Jet engine mechanics play a critical role out on the flightline and to the Air Force as a whole. They must always be prepared to perform any type of inspec- tion regularly. An example is the recent engine mount bolt inspection to verify the integrity of the fleet s bolts that hold the engines to the airframes. We continue to train on new tasks daily, Alicea added. One thing I m excit- ed about is that engine changes used to take about 48 hours, and now, we have lowered that time down to about two shifts in a day, from start to finish. These mechanics are one example of what it means to be a part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, to remain mission focused and value Airmen. We all learn together, work together and made it to where we are, together, smiled Humphreys. 8 Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 31,

9 NEWS FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) Beginning Friday, Express Scripts will need annual consent from patients who want to receive automatic refills of their maintenance medications enrolled in TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. This means that just before one of your prescriptions runs out of refills, Express Scripts will reach out to you to know if you would like your doctor to be contacted to renew the prescription, and if you d like to continue in the automatic refill program. If not, Express Scripts will not refill your prescription. This new process gives beneficiaries more control over their medications and keeps the convenience of automatic refills, said Amy Aldighere, the DOD Program Management Express Scripts senior director. It also makes it easier to opt out of the Auto Refill program and helps to prevent beneficiaries from receiving medications that they no longer need or shouldn t receive. What to Expect When the last refill of a medication enrolled in the automatic refill program ships, Express Scripts will reach out to you by telephone and/or (depending on the preference you indicated) and ask the following: Would you like Express Scripts to reach out to your doctor for a new prescription? Do you want to keep your medication enrolled in the auto refill program? How to Respond Express Scripts will not re-enroll your medication unless they hear from you. You have several ways to respond: Online at Express-Scripts.com/TRICARE Via the automated phone call from Express Scripts By calling an Express Scripts patient care advocate at If Express Scripts does not receive your consent within 10 days of reaching out to you, it will remove your medication from the auto refill program. However, re-enrolling is simple, and you can re-enroll your medication at any time online, or through a PCA. For more information or if you have questions, go to the Express Scripts website. You can also call Express Scripts at Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

10 NEWS WASHINGTON (AFNS) Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson addressed Judge Advocate General Corps Airmen during the 2017 Horizons Summer Conference, Aug. 28, 2017, in Falls Church, Virginia. During her speech, Wilson emphasized her priorities including developing exceptional leaders, driving innovation, strengthening alliances, restoring readiness and cost-effectively modernizing. [Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein] and I are determined to continue to develop leaders across the force who are values driven, mission focused and people oriented, Wilson said. Leaders inspire others. Wilson also spoke about her husband s role as a 30-year JAG officer and imparted how important it is for JAG Corps officers to not only advise commanders but also to help mold Airmen to become the future leaders of the Air Force. Every one of you by your actions, your words and your example are role models for others, she said. You inspire and touch lives in ways you may not even realize. So thank you for representing all of us well and inspiring the next generation of those who will serve. She noted the importance for JAG Corps Airmen to stay updated about new policy changes to better counsel their commanders. I personally have an understanding as a former Air Force officer, the work that you do to advise commanders and sort out problems, is invaluable to our service, said Wilson. JAG, Page 13 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 31,

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12 Over the next 24 months the Air Force is going to review and reduce more than 1,309 Air Force Instructions, Wilson said. With Gen. Goldfein at her side, Wilson hopes to see authorities driven down to the lowest possible level. Chief and I have told commanders not to wait for us, she said. Act in accordance with our values and in alignment with the training and education you have as commanders, and do the right thing. MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 31,

13 COMMUNITY Surf s Edge Club Membership Breakfast from 6:30-9 a.m. Club members are free; non-members: $7.95. Call MacDill Lanes & Family Fun Center Fiestarama Family Fun Night from 5-9 p.m. 50-cent games for all bowlers under the age of 15. Taco fiesta buffet adults: $12.99; 9-12: $10.99; 8 and under: $2.99. Dessert bar: $2.99 (kids free). Call Base Theater Free movie. LEGO Batman (PG). Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. Overflow parking available in the SOCOM parking garage. Box Office Bistro now open Located in the Base Theater. Open 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. serving nachos, tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas and more. Base Theater Free movie. All Eyes On Me (R). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Movie starts at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 Bowling Member Appreciation Day Sept. 9 UFC 215 Sept. 18 AF 70th Birthday Boomers Bash Sept. 17 Golf Member Appreciation Day Sept. 21 End of Summer Luncheon Sept. 29 Oktoberfest For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting or calling Thursday, August 31, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

14 Without the credentials given by the visitor center, anyone without a military ID would not be granted access to the base. On average, the visitor center alone assists about 180 walk-in customers daily, which consists mostly of friends and family of base residents, or people who have business meetings with the base, said Siharath. We also prescreen another 200 individuals daily who have pending jobs on the base as a sub-contractor. These visitor center Airmen and civilians understand the seriousness of their job, and in turn conduct thorough background checks on each individual trying to gain access. As a result of their attention to detail and dedication to their job, they are able to identify possible criminal threats and deny base access. We spend a considerable amount of time reviewing each person s background before determining eligibility of base access, said Siharath. On average, we identify and deny 1,500 convicted criminals and persons of United States and being a role model. Not being raised in the continental United States, Cintron is subject to many obstacles that could prevent some from achieving their dreams and accomplishing their goals. This cultural experiences also bring an atmosphere of diversity to the Air Force and to this vehicle maintenance shop. Communicating is so important in society and in the Air Force, said Rene Anderson, superintendent of the 6th LRS. Airman Cintron came into the Air Force with limited understanding of the English language; he interest from federal and state agencies annually. Another way the visitor center provides security to the base is through determining eligibility and issuing credentials for foreign national visitors and coalition partners. As a base that has two combatant commands, MacDill has a wide range of military leaders who visit the base. The visitor center ensures each visit starts off well, with proper base access. My favorite part of my job is knowing my team and I do our part in support of the 6th Air Mobility Wing mission and combatant command operations throughout the globe, because we are responsible for ensuring global leaders and other decision makers are able to access the base smoothly, said Siharath. Whether it is a friend visiting a military member on the base or a foreign dignitary accessing the base for business, the visitor center is the first line of defense to keep MacDill and its Airmen safe. has not allowed that to bring him down, (and) instead inspires other Airmen in this shop to strive for success. He brings style and form to this shop, not only as an excellent Airman, but he brings a perspective to the shop that allows him to mentor the new members coming in. To Cintron, the Air Force is the best decision of his life to date. If you have the opportunity to do something for yourself, go the extra mile, Cintron said. Although there are struggles with many hard decisions, nothing worth doing should be easy. MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 31,

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